On Saturday 21st November of this year the Lovely Jumper Fest swung into action. Over 150 people attended despite the atrocious weather and local flooding, not by the Spailpin thankfully!! They came in their wellies, caps and of course their lovely jumpers, cardigans, geansai and even the odd vest. A few pints were had while watching some entertaining jumper videos and then some lovely competitions were run to garner a few extra quid. These included The Loveliest Jumper contest (who found the loveliest jumper), Jumper On (how many jumpers can you put on in one minute), Bra Off (how quickly you can take you're bra off under you're jumper) and The Lovely Jumper Auction (people in lovely jumpers auctioning themselves off for a pint on the night with the highest bidder).
LOVELY JUMPER FEST IN AN SPALPIN FANACH
The Loveliest Jumper contest was hotly contested. After scouring the crowd for the loveliest geansai of the night, the JPC had a hard time narrowing it down to 6 finalists. The 3 lads sported some lovely jumpers which haven't seen the light of day in donkies. The winner of the mens, Mike O'Donovan bravely wore a blue number with 2 giant floral creations in the middle, Shane something came in a modified classic aran jumper and was a close second with Ciaran Forde in a tartan number in 3rd place. Likewise the ladies outdid themselves with the eventual winner Marion wearing what can only be called the "Christmassesiest" jumper we've ever seen, covered from head to waist in tinsel, bows and other Christmas paraphenalia she was a shoe in. The runners up Elaine Buckley, who wore her old Scoil Mhuire jumper with some lovely rossetas hand knit and sewn in and Claire McCormack who was gave her best Peig Sayers impression in her lovely jumper.
JUMPERS ON COMPETITION IN PROGRESS
Gillian McCormack was the eventual winner of Jumpers On. Her nimble fingers and slight frame meant she managed to fit on a whopping 7 lovely jumpers in the space of a minute, now that's fast!! When the pile of jumpers of stage ran out, her quick thinking (of robbing a jumper from nearby audience member) meant she stole the limelight for the two boys, Niall O'Rahilly Drew and Colum Brosnan who were close behind her with 6 jumpers each. The other 2 poor girls, Eva and Marie suffered bad luck picking the smallest and awkwardist jumpers from the floor and forgot that to be "officially on" both arms and neck had to be through the appropriate holes.
WINNER OF THE LOVELIEST JUMPER CONTEST
"IT IS A LOVELY JUMPER I SWEAR"
Denise Fallon was the clear winner of the Bra Off competition as she managed to whip off her bra under her jumper in a record 7.2 seconds. Her regular GAA training sessions meant she had the upper hand on the other girls on this one! Brid Browne claimed she was a close second but some of the girls (Mardy O'Riordan, Yvonne Moloney, Elaine Buckley) didn't seem to be making too much of an effort to win for some reason. Regardless Denise was delighted with her performance and credited her local Kanturk football team for her win, as they are changed into their training gear in no time at all.
LOVELY JUMPER CAKE
The Lovely Jumper Auction saw some ridiculous bidding ensue as 5 lovely volunteers got up on stage. People couldn't wait for the chance to have a pint with the lovely auctionees and bids of between 25 - 50euro were made for Ray Brosnan, Aoife Kelleher, Denise Fallon, Des Brosnan and Eimear Murphy. I'm sure their individual jumpers played a part on the bidding as well as the lovely moustaches sported by Ray and Des for Movember.
SOME LOVELY JUMPERS
The 50p cake shop and a selection of item from the RNLI were on sale all night and lovelingly promoted and sold by Eve McLoughlin. 50p Jumper Confessions were also being given by Fr. O'Regan and Fr. Hannon throughout the night in case any jumpers sins were committed, such as turning up in a sweater or god forbid without a lovely jumper! Rumour has it that several Hail Jumpers and a Glory Be to the Jumper had to be doled out. How many sweets in a jar? and a very impromptu jumper spanking session also took place and brought in a good few pennies.
BOYS IN THEIR LOVELY JUMPERS
Thanks to generous donations by everyone on the night and donations from our online website (www.mycharity.ie/event/lovelyjumperfest) a whopping 2,500 was raised. We're very happy to say that the very first Lovely Jumper Fest was a roaring success. A big thank you to everyone who attended, those who donated online and through sponsorship cards. We'd also like to say a big thank you to some local businesses who supported us and donated raffle prizes for the night such as Blarney Woolen Mills, NORD Carpentry Services, The Pavillion, Bobs Bar Kanturk, Primetime Washington St, O'Riordans Shop and Petrol Station Kanturk, Daniel O'Donnell and Garrettstown Surf School. A big lovely thank you too, to RedFM for plugging the event, Plugd Records for selling tickets and of course An Spailpin Fanach for hosting it.
JUMPER CONFESSIONS
So to keep the show on the road, or the jumper on the hanger so to speak we've set up a Facebook page if anyone would like to find out more information, to see some lovely jumper photographs or to keep tabs on whats happening for next year. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=100000483649513&ref=nf
LOVELY JUMPER SPANKINGS
"Jumpers are inevitable in a progressive society. Jumpers are constant." Benjamin Disraeli (edited by the JPC)
RNLI & 50P CAKE SHOP
Jumper Preservation Committee
(Caitriona O'Connor, Ellen O'Sullivan, Siobhan O'Connor)
HOW MANY SWEETS IN A JAR COMPETITION
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